Page 51 of A Heart Falls Cowboy Christmas

And Fern of course, standing with Charity. And Cody for himself.

But also Sasha, and Emma, and all his brothers’ wives, and Ashton and Sonora, and Uncle Frank, and the hands who’d worked Silver Stone for so many years that they felt like part of the family as well.

The only one not here was Shim, who’d taken a tech job in Dubai that had no return flights involved until December.

When Dustin really thought it through, the crowd of people gathering today with them made sense. “We have a lot of friends and family we wanted to include. It didn’t seem right to leave anyone out.”

“Which means this is like what we did for each of our weddings.” Caleb laid his strong hand on Dustin’s shoulder. “Exactly what suited us. In your case, that means being surrounded by your people. Never apologize for that.”

As if a shot of fresh air had hit, Dustin’s heart lightened. Caleb was right.

As usual.

Which meant the entire way over to the church and marching up to the front, Dustin wasn’t fidgeting about what came next or worrying about details. Instead, he watched the people who’d gathered around him. The ones celebrating with him and Charity as they took another step in committing to each other forever.

Family. Familiar faces and friends. So many of them, and as he met Uncle Frank’s gaze, Dustin knew for certain that he’d made the right decision. There were no regrets over choosing to remain where he’d set down such powerful roots.

He’d help Crooked Creek in any way he could, but Silver Stone was his home. It was his heart, along with the woman he could see glimpses of at the back of the church.

Little Demi and Kyle tossed flowers out of baskets as they tottered their way down the center aisle. Sasha and Chelsea followed them, herding a little when necessary.

Tyler already stood next to Caleb, looking so serious and grown-up at all of six years old, a puffy silver cushion with the rings tied to it held carefully in his hands.

At the organ, Sonora changed to a new tune. A smiling Emma, wearing her outfit from Sasha’s grad, stepped beside her and began to sing. The words of “Forever Like That” by Ben Rector rang out over the full congregation as Charity made her way down the aisle and straight into Dustin’s arms.

Laughter rang out, but he couldn’t help himself. Taking her hand had felt natural, but pulling her close and wrapping her up tight was a necessity.

She smiled up at him, arms around his waist. “Hi.”

Her dark curls were swept up with little red roses and white flowers tucked here and there. Her dress was all lace and buttons, and he was going to have the best time ever getting her out of it later that night.

But now, they had a job to do. “Ready for this?”

She nodded happily. “Okay.”

The official words were said. Dustin got to kiss his bride, and cheers rang from the crowd. All of it blurred together a little even as Dustin tried to soak in every second. Every pound on the back, and hug, and bit of advice from the people of the community who’d gathered with them that day.

The wedding party moved to Silver Stone and took way too many pictures. They shifted locations again, this time to Red Boot ranch, where they had a huge reception and barbeque meal as well as dancing that lasted until after two a.m.

When everyone else had said their goodbyes, a small group remained. Charity sat in the chair next to Dustin, their fingers firmly linked as they spoke with Fern and Cody. The band had packed up, but someone had turned on a speaker, and country music played softly in the background.

“It’s been a great day,” Cody stretched his legs in front of him. “God, you Stones know how to throw a party.”

“I can’t believe Ginny and Kelli lasted until ten. They’re eight months pregnant. They’ve got to be exhausted,” Charity said, sipping water.

“I can’t believe the littles all lasted until then as well.” Fern shook her head. “Watching the kids dance to “Good Times” was wild.”

Cody squeezed her fingers. “What do you mean kids? You hauled my ass up there for that one.”

Laughter swelled as the lights flickered. Dustin glanced to the edge of the party venue to see Tamara’s sister Karen and her husband Finn giving them a little wave.

“You guys are gluttons for punishment,” Finn offered. “Time to go home, okay? Since you do have places to go home to.”

Cody raised a hand in the air. “I’ll lock up.”

“Great job tonight,” Dustin offered to Karen and Finn, pulling Charity to her feet. “Sorry we stayed so late.”

“Not at all,” Karen said with a grin even as she and Finn turned for the door. “Lisa bet you’d be the last ones standing.”